Dealer says return to stock before repair!

[NotQ64]

The tech found the following parts need to be> replaced the return the > vehicle to stock before we will replace the short> block in the vehicle.>
> Quantity part# price>
1 22611ah793 $631.84 > ecm>
1 44102fe040 $592.43 > cat>
1 44011fe000 $9.17 > gasket>
1 44022aa180 $21.95 > gasket>
14 902370029 $19.88 > nut>
5 44059aa030 $42.15 > flange bolt>
1 22690aa520 $149.95 > O2 sensor>
1 44022aa122 $33.57 > gasket>
1 44201fe011 $217.50 > exh pip >
2 901660014 $2.52 > bolts>
2 902350001 $3.60 > nut>
1 44031fe000 $43.37 > cover>
1 44031fe020 $19.07 > cover>
1 44021aa012 $16.15 > cover>
10 904740011 $12.20 > screws>
1 misc parts $35.00 > parts>
> The labor for the repairs to put the vehicle to> stock is 4 hours at $97.00 > an hour> the total for the repairs $2403.04+tax>
> The vehicle needs a short block and all related> gaskets and hardware and > gaskets.>
The short block #10103ab330- $1851.00>
The gasket set #10105aa560- $312.00>
There is additional charges for- $100.00>
The total for parts on the engine replacement> $2263.00> > To replaced the short block will take 22-24hours of> labor at $97.00 an hour.> > The final cost of repairs with parts and labor> $6994.04+tax

The Car is 04 WRX wagon w/25,000 miles currently has upgraded stage 1 ecu chip, downpipe and exaust, lowering springs and HID's. The car is at a Subaru Dealer.

My question is: Why would the engine need to be returned to stock before repairs can begin?
All warranties have been denied and this seems like extra work and expense.

Please advise.

[Nose Nuggets]

the engine does not. but all related components do, the ecm and exhaust components. well, technically they DONT but he is within legal operating protocol to demand as much.

its the 22-24 hours of labor to replace the short block is what boggles my mind.

assuming you have all your factory gear, take the few hours and put it back the way it was and then have them do the work.

[NotQ64]

This is my friends car and I was driving when the engine blew. I agreed to pay for 1/2 of the repair.

I found out my Friend wants to return the car to stock so that the dealer will warranty the parts they replace and the work. The dealer will not warranty the block or related replaced parts if ANY aftermarket parts are on the engine.

The car was bought modified and no stock parts remain.

I am about to advise my friend that I will only pay for 1/2 of the BROKEN parts and 1/2 of labor for that. I think that it is a waste of money to return to stock since ANYTHING done to the engine will void this warranty. Moreover, since the car VIN has been flagged since we tried to get it covered under the extended warranty from Subaru I don't that anyone will warranty ANYTHING for this car. Do you think that sounds reasonable?

BTW What is a reasonable repair time for short block repair?

[colombian3jo]

your a nice friend. but unless ## a really bad driver..i dont think your at fault. i hope everything works out

[IH8PVMNT]

22-24 hours of labor to install a short block!!! i can tell you right now thats a joke and there stealing your $$$ i know first hand im a tech for a jeep dealer all i do is engine repair all day we just got 29 hours out of a insurance company for a short block on a straight 6 grand cherokee... it took me all of 9 hours including all fluid and raod test!!!
although i know those cars like the back of my hand so its cake for me considering ive doen its 6000000 times .... but 22-24 hours is def a rip... there prob going to spend half that time on it.. but thats how the tech and dealer make there $$

and iff i were you take all the mods out put stock shiz back on and broing it to a diffrent dealer.... see whats they say... worth a try..

[Nose Nuggets]

Originally Posted by NotQ64

The dealer will not warranty the block or related replaced parts if ANY aftermarket parts are on the engine.

fair enough.


not all the parts you listed are on the engine. how did you blow the engine anyway?


the legal speak regarding warranty repairs on modified cars is cloudy at best. but! what it essentially comes down to is a non factory part will not be covered under the factory warranty. which is extremely reasonable. the clouds roll in when the dealer claims after market part X caused factory warrantied part Y to fail.

your kind of up shit creak with engine management equipment. as that can effect every single aspect of the engine. i would sit down and have a reasonable discussion with who ever makes decisions at this dealership, dont waste your time talking to the tech whos wrenching on your buddies car. dont raise your voice or threaten. your in the wrong here so he will be the one doing you a favor. tell him you understand the questionable aspects of modified components on the car. see if he cuts you a break. agree to pay for the o2 sensor and any engine management components. tell him you know that the modded exaust is not going to effect the installation or testing of a new short block. work with him from there.

the actual time it takes to install and test a short block is completely irrelevant. what it comes down to is how much Alldata says it should take. tell him you want to see the numbers produced by the computer for that particular job. the time specified is the time it would take a semi competent chimpanzee to complete the work, so you can wheel and deel a little if you feel like your in a position to do so.

good luck

[NotQ64]

I was on a max speed run. Foot on the floor Tach at about 6200-6300 5th gear 150mph+ (hard to tell when the speedo maxes at 140mph, it was 1 inch past 140) . The car stopped accelerating like it ran into a limiter of some sort. Didn't feel like a rev limiter which is bububububububu. It just stopped accelerating. I backed off then hit it again= same thing. It was pulling VERY strong until then. I backed off to about 100 then about 30 sec later I noticed oil temp in the red. I backed off more then the check engine light came on. By the time I stopped the engine was VERY rattley. = Tow. = Dealer= Expensive.

I can't talk myself out of a paper bag. My friend is better but had no luck.

[Nose Nuggets]

that car should be able to hum along at a buck fifty 'till it runs out of gas. something oil related outside of the engine failed.

[NotQ64]

Any Guesses?

[baller_v24]

u need to go to a tune shop instead. u can get a built engine for that price. i know it's not urs but i think anywhere else but there will be cheaper. save urself thousands and go some where else.

[WRXKidid775]

I agree with baller.

Take it elsewhere.

I mean you wont have the dealership garantee but most reputible shops will be understanding if something goes wrong due to there work.

I wouldn't take it to a mom and pop shop though, definatly ask around.

I know the guy from getadomtune.com is up in the northwest and he does work. Pretty damn good work from what I hear everybody likes him alot. If your heads are still good you can get a stock2.5l shortblock brand new for like 1800 bucks and run a 2.5l hybrid.

[NotQ64]

We paid to have it shipped by car carrier from Fresno California (closest town to where it broke) back to here. They wanted $5800 for just the short block repair. I doubt I can convince him to have it towed to someplace else. I'll look into other places though.

[mosc]

"upgraded stage 1 ecu chip"

please define

[NotQ64]

I don't have that information. That is how it was described to me. All I know is that it did come with a handheld controller that plugs in to the OBD II port. He also STI gauges.

[Nose Nuggets]

oh shit, sti gauges? your ####ed.